One might say that Joyce UMC had literally gone to the dogs Sunday, September 28th. The dogs, cats, bunny and gerbil that is. In our 2nd annual blessing of the pets, Pastor John Darlington and Intern Chris Kliessen Wehrman blessed the animals during the regular service. The animals came forward to receive a blessing after having sat patiently through the entire service; including a sermon that was once in awhile punctuated by the occasional growl or woof. After the regular service, the congregation adjourned to the boulevard of the church and Intern Chris brought forth the story of St. Francis preaching to the birds, recalling "There was even a time when St. Francis quieted a flock of noisy birds that were interrupting a religious ceremony!" Member Barbara York ended the ceremony by sprinkling the air and ground with the baptismal water.